RBNZ to scale back lending restrictions as housing market slows

RBNZ to scale back lending restrictions as housing market slows
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Nov. 29 (BusinessDesk) - The Reserve Bank will ease restrictions on low-equity mortgage lending from next year as housing market pressures abate after several years of policy efforts to cool rapid house price gains and their accompanying credit expansion.  Acting governor Grant Spencer today announced plans to start removing the limits on high loan-to-value ratio property lending, which were first imposed four years ago to discourage banks from extending credit to riskier borrowers. From Jan. 1, up to 15 percent of a bank's...